This is DHR

DHR acknowledges that all human beings have
equal worth regardless of race, religion, sex,
age, sexual preference or disabilities.
No society, group or individual has the right
to belittle or violate the human worth in an
individual or group. Each human being has an
indispensable value connected to her existence
and not to what she is or does.

DHR is an organisation for people with mobility impairments.
DHR is a democratic organisation. We are not affiliated to
any political party or religious organisation. We do, however, work intensely to influence political decisions, which are of importance to people with mobility impairments. We call this
work lobbying. Our objective is an equal and just society with equal opportunities, where EVERYBODY can participate.

Members of DHR meet each other and participate in social activities at the local chapters; these provide forums where members can exchange experiences give and receive peer suppport.
Sweden is a multifaceted country; big cities, countryside with farmlands and pasture, mountains and woodlands, industrial communities and villages. Geography shapes our
lives. That is why the local chapters of DHR are diverse, as they are shaped according to their location and the activities desired by the members in that locality.

”The core competence of DHR is our member’s experience of living as citizens with mobility impairments in the Swedish society.”

”The DHR organisation is built in a way so that it will function together with the political system of municipalities and county councils in Sweden. Our local chapters work locally with municipal issues. The district clubs handle county council issues. The national board and its secretariat work on national level and act as a service and information unit to the local chapters and district clubs.”

Influence everyday life

The chapters lobby political issues locally. You can influence your surroundings and the decisions, which will limit or enhance your everyday life. This can be done through letters to the editor and letters and petitions to local politicians. In many places DHR has representatives in local councils where we can put forth our views and work for improvements.

Network

Both locally and nationally our work is channelled through the boards of DHR’s district clubs and the work of our national board. They use committees and social networks of active members, who have chosen to work with “their” issue. If you find a particular issue important you can work together with members who have the same issue of interest. The district clubs very often have a secretariat, with one or more employees, who can  also give support.

Lobbying

The issues raised by the national board to influence politicians on the national level are handled by the national secretariat.
This also provides information and support services to other parts of the organisation. Advice and support are provided to individual members.

Why DHR is needed

People with mobility impairments have and always will exist. We are a part of society. In spite of this, the prerequisites for us to participate on equal terms are still missing. We are excluded, questioned and subjected to demeaning and segregating treatment.

The Swedish society is founded on the principle that all human beings are of equal worth. Every human being has an indispensable value, which is connected to her bare existence
not to what she is or does. However, to implement the principle of equal worth we have to redesign society so that everybody has equal opportunities to participate.

”A disability is not a human quality, but describes the meeting
between people with physical impairments and their surroundings.
The disability arises when somebody with a physical impairment
finds himself or herself in an environment that is not accessible.”

Accessibility

In Sweden 27% of conference rooms where municipal councils meet are inaccessible to people with mobility impairments. This means that people with mobility impairments are prevented from participating in local politics on equal terms with other citizens.
Physically we are shut off from workplaces, schools, polling stations, shops, housing etc. We are unable to use the public transport as buses and trains are inaccessible. Freedom of movement is restricted and options are minimised. The inaccessibility of the local school can create an obstacle with lifelong consequences for a pupil with a mobility impairment.

Discrimination

When a group of citizens have their civil rights restricted in comparison with other groups in this way, it is discrimination. Discrimination can also occur when exclusion and inequality
is based on invisible structures. Inherent values and social codes can result in unequal opportunities. One of DHR’s main goals is a ban on all discrimination. We work for an open society.
A society for all.

Support and service

Almost everybody who lives with a permanent mobility impairment is dependent on personal services or individual support in some form; special transport, assistance, technical aids etc. DHR demands the right for people with mobility impairments to rule their own lives, to have power over the services and support schemes necessary for participation on equal opportunities.
Clichés about user influence and consultation, or campaigns to change attitudes are not enough. DHR’s goal is to wipe away the current patronising and doubting attitude.

”DHR works towards an open society. We have to put an end to discri
mination, stop patronising behaviour and seize power over our
own lives. We can change society by creating opinion and influencing
political decisions. We call this work lobbying.”
”Acknowledging the principle of every human being’s equal worth
does not satisfy DHR. We work to implement it. It’s about power or
powerlessness.”
”Sweden will become a better country for people with mobility
impairments to live in. To work in DHR is a way to achieve it.”